Tips to keep your eyes healthy

The well-being of your eye sight is important, below we discuss tips to keep your eyes healthy and strong. 

Regular eye examinations

Visit your Spec-Savers Optometrist every 2 years as regular eye exams can help detect eye problems early and ensure that your prescription is up to date.

Eat a healthy diet

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially those high in antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin A, C, and E, can help protect your eyes from age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Stay hydrated

Proper hydration is essential for maintaining the health of your eyes. Dehydration can lead to dry and irritated eyes, so be sure to drink enough water throughout the day.

Self-assessment

Be aware of risk factors like obesity, high cholesterol, and a family history of eye disease. Many eye diseases are hereditary and knowing if you are predisposed to an eye disease can aid in early detection. Once assessed by your optometrist you can put the necessary plans in place to best protect your eye health as you age.

Quit smoking

There is no sugarcoating it, apart from being detrimental to your overall health smoking damages your eyes. Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye syndrome, and optic nerve damage. All the above conditions if left untreated can lead to blindness. Smokers are three to four times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers.

Exercise regularly

Regular physical exercise can reduce your chance of developing type two diabetes which can lead to visual impairment. It can also reduce the risk of developing age-related cataracts.

When you don’t have time to hit the gym try exercising your eye muscles by;

Shifting – slowly move your eyeballs from left to right and back again. This gets the blood pumping in the eye muscles for healthy eyes.

Blinking – blink your eyes quickly 10 times and then rest with your eyes closed for 20 seconds. Blinking lubricates the eyes.

Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays 

Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays when you're outdoors. Prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Take a scheduled screen break

If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer or other digital screens, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 5 meters away to reduce eye strain.

Restful Sleep

Ensure you get enough sleep, as it's crucial for eye health. Not getting adequate sleep can lead to dry, itchy, or bloodshot eyes. This can further lead to eye infections. Sleep helps in eye recovery as the eye gets the moisture it needs and reduces eye strain.

While there is no golden rule to amazing eye health, by following these tips, you can help keep your eyes healthy and protect your vision for a lifetime. Contact your Spec-Savers optometrist to book an eye examination and keep your vision crystal clear.